Berkie, sorry to hear about your slow support response! I want to understand what happened here - could you share your ticket #, either by posting here or through email? We should have a 1-3 day max turnaround on tickets, depending on the nature of the ticket (some need to go through engineering) and present workload. Our goal is certainly to get that response time lower.

This is the third successful maiden of a bird for me with a Guardian unit installed. Being older than dirt, I usually try and have the maiden flights accomplished by someone else before I attempt flight with or without a Guardian installed (depends upon speed, complexity, anticipated winds, etc.)

I did not want to change out the RCVR (six channel) so only had one spare channel and used it for 2D/OFF/3D with default gain setting as shown in manual. Verified correct operation, did level/trim set. I followed prof100's installation photos (thanks for sharing) and it worked perfectly.

Set 3D mode and the bird tracked perfectly (heading hold engaged) on a very rough grass strip. I experimented with 2D and OFF a couple of mistakes high. Practiced approaches knowing that the Guardian would handle the control surfaces leaving me with throttle, pretty much.

The only surprise was how quickly the bird jumped off the runway (holding full up because of rough grass strip), but relaxing the elevator resulted in a smooth climb out.

As with other posters, I've flown in quite strong winds (15-20 mph, with gusts) and just don't worry about it. It is fun to do a low pass down the runway and watch the Guardian manipulating the control surfaces to keep the bird level.

I now own six units and have gotten in the habit of installing one in a new bird if it has any degree of complexity or if I am unsure of finding another pilot for the maiden flight.

I just finished installing my 3rd Guardian in a 2 year old Sig Kadet LT-25 taildragger that I stopped flying due to its squirrelly takeoff behavior. My 1st is in my testbed PZ T-28, which if it wasn't my most enjoyable A/C before, post Guardian it is just an absolute joy to fly in many conditions I wouldn't have thought possible before. A 2nd one was just installed in an Advance 25e which I have had to abort the last few times out to the field due to high winds. Didn't want to try the Advance without first testing it in more normal conditions, but had no hesitation in flying the T-28 these days when most guys more experienced & better than I were not flying.

Also just ordered 5 of the 5" USB connection cables from New Egg to put in my planes so I don't have to remove the units to change their settings. Finally, I have 2 more Guardian units on back order & await their arrival to put in a couple more of the planes I don't fly as often as I would like. These things are really very addictive!

The only surprise was how quickly the bird jumped off the runway (holding full up because of rough grass strip), but relaxing the elevator resulted in a smooth climb out.

Next time try this; Point the plane straight down the runway, wings level, at the climb angle you want. Then set 3D mode. Wiggle it around to confirm the surfaces are moving properly. Put the plane down and hit the throttle without touching anything else. Guardian will track it down the runway, rotate, and fly the climb path and angle where you pointed it. When you get to pattern altitude, take over simply by flying it. As soon as you move the aileron or elevator you are back in charge. It's fun and amazing to watch a takeoff or hand-launch flown completely hands-off.

This is the third successful maiden of a bird for me with a Guardian unit installed. Being older than dirt, I usually try and have the maiden flights accomplished by someone else before I attempt flight with or without a Guardian installed (depends upon speed, complexity, anticipated winds, etc.)

I did not want to change out the RCVR (six channel) so only had one spare channel and used it for 2D/OFF/3D with default gain setting as shown in manual. Verified correct operation, did level/trim set. I followed prof100's installation photos (thanks for sharing) and it worked perfectly.

Set 3D mode and the bird tracked perfectly (heading hold engaged) on a very rough grass strip. I experimented with 2D and OFF a couple of mistakes high. Practiced approaches knowing that the Guardian would handle the control surfaces leaving me with throttle, pretty much.

The only surprise was how quickly the bird jumped off the runway (holding full up because of rough grass strip), but relaxing the elevator resulted in a smooth climb out.

As with other posters, I've flown in quite strong winds (15-20 mph, with gusts) and just don't worry about it. It is fun to do a low pass down the runway and watch the Guardian manipulating the control surfaces to keep the bird level.

I now own six units and have gotten in the habit of installing one in a new bird if it has any degree of complexity or if I am unsure of finding another pilot for the maiden flight.

Michael

Michael,

I find your experience a delight to read. The Guardian sure does what it promises.

Berkie, sorry to hear about your slow support response! I want to understand what happened here - could you share your ticket #, either by posting here or through email? We should have a 1-3 day max turnaround on tickets, depending on the nature of the ticket (some need to go through engineering) and present workload. Our goal is certainly to get that response time lower.

It seems to be working well and may need a few more tweaks to get it even better...

However I noticed later on last night that I mounted it backwards (the front of the airplane on the case is towards the rear of my plane!

Would this make any difference how the plane flies....do I need to reverse it??

Update: According to Eagle Tree they said that it would still work as long as all the control surfaces are checked and working properly when the airplane is moved around. That is what I did before flight.....made sure that when the model was moved by myself the control surfaces had a negative feedback to correct the movement.

How snug is snug?....If it's too tight I think constant wear and tear of it being stuck in there and taken out again plus getting kicked around moving from plane to plane will take it's toll eventually.

Nice looking mount. I think you will still need to use the servo mounting double sticky sided foam between the plane & your mount to isolate vibrations.
We used to move receivers from plane to plane; but now that seems a hassle with the cheaper electronics.